AI and authentic creativity: How visionaries can use AI without losing their voice

I recently read an article about teachers using AI tools to detect whether student papers were AI-generated. It struck me because, over the past year, I’ve been using AI every day for one thing or another.

Is it ethical for creatives, visionaries, and thought leaders to use AI in their work?

I think the answer lies in how the tools are used. Visionary work is about originality, authenticity, and pushing boundaries—those are qualities that no AI can replace. But does using AI compromise authenticity? Here are some thoughts on how I’ve been leveraging AI for my creative work while staying true to my unique vision.

The Ethics of Using AI-Generated Content: How Much Is Too Much?

AI has been a game-changer for organizing my writing and producing content quickly. I use AI to save time, but every piece I share is carefully reviewed, infused with my voice, and aligned with my vision. For me, it’s about working smarter while staying true to my creative essence.

I don’t feel like I’m ‘cheating’ because I’ve spent over 25 years studying the transformative power of metaphor, writing books and articles, and teaching my work in high-level graduate schools. Now, toward the end of my career, I have an amazing tool to help me pull my ideas together and stay organized.

Still, I wonder—how much is too much? My ideas are original, but will I lose my authentic voice? And does it matter, as long as the work is unique?

Staying True to My Voice: AI is a Partner, Not a Replacement

For me, AI is a collaborator, not a creator. It’s a brainstorming partner—it helps me articulate ideas and organize my thoughts, but it doesn’t drive the process. As visionaries, we bring something irreplaceable to the table: our perspective, our experiences, and our deep intuition about what needs to emerge in the world. AI can refine that vision, but it can’t ever replace it.

I use AI to draft new writing, explore phrasing, or try out word choices. Once I have a draft, I infuse it with my voice, tweak the structure, and ensure it reflects 

my core message. This co-creative process allows me to work efficiently while maintaining integrity in my work.

AI is like using a camera to capture a vision—the tool enhances what I see, but the vision remains my own.

The Power of Human Creativity

Visionaries thrive at the edges of the unknown, creating ideas that challenge conventions and open new pathways. These are places AI can’t go because true creativity isn’t algorithmic—it’s messy, unpredictable, and deeply human.

When I use AI, it frees up time and mental energy for deeper, creative work. Instead of fine-tuning phrasing for hours, I can focus on the big picture.

The tool amplifies my voice; it doesn’t substitute it.